Gundlupet: It is definitely an occasion to celebrate. The ambitious ‘Project Tiger’ launched in 1973 to protect the dwindling tiger population in Karnataka forests, has completed 47 years.
On November 17, 1973, the then Chief Minister D. Devaraja Urs declared Bandipur Park as ‘Tiger Reserve’ heralding a new era of tiger protection in the country. Bandipur was announced as Park by including Venugopalaswamy Wildlife area and surrounding forest on February 19, 1941. Only 13 tigers were there at the time of launching Project Tiger. Now, thanks to sustained efforts of forest officials, this Park has 175 tigers and second Park in the country to have the highest number of big cats.
